Whether you’re looking for a movie to entertain the kids or you’re ready to curl up on the couch with a cozy blanket and a warm cup of hot chocolate, Thanksgiving movies are a great addition to your holiday plans.
These films help evoke the spirit of giving by taking advantage of the variety of content available on multiple streaming platforms. Pick your favorite and bring your kids.
Here are 20 Thanksgiving movies to watch with your family this season.
“Charlie Brown Thanksgiving”
It’s a classic anime character that we all love across generations. In this episode, Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus, and Woodstock try to make their own meal for a Thanksgiving gathering, but things don’t always go as planned.
In this 2015 Lifetime movie, the Emerson family (Graham Verchere, Genevieve Buechner, Jay Harrington) travels to the town of Turkey Hollow to visit Aunt Cry (Mary Steenburgen). The kids soon embark on an adventure to track down his hoodoo Howling, a legendary monster who is more than just a legend.
“Garfield’s Thanksgiving”
Everyone’s favorite hungry cat is looking forward to the most delicious holiday of the year, but this year his owner makes a decision that could take things for the worst. It’s a new diet.
“Paul Blart: Mall Cop”
Paul Blart (Kevin James) takes his job as a mall security guard very seriously, patrolling the aisles on a Segway. Black’s defensive instincts are tested when his turf is threatened by a group of criminals planning a Friday heist.
“Free Birds”
This 2013 animated film features turkeys who unite despite their differences to travel back in time and permanently remove turkey from the Thanksgiving menu.
“Winnie the Pooh: Season of Giving”
This 1999 classic is packed with nostalgia and follows the Thanksgiving adventures of the fan-favorite honey-loving bear and his friends. Perfect for young children, this part of the film follows a crew as they search for ingredients for the perfect holiday feast.
“Turkey Town”
Gobbles the Turkey is excited about his favorite day of the year and plans a lavish celebration with all his friends, including a singing and dancing party.
‘Ratatouille’
If you’re looking for a movie to whet your appetite while preparing your Thanksgiving feast, why not spend some time watching Paris’ only Michelin-starred mouse pursue his dream of becoming a gourmet chef? Is not it.
“Home Alone”
Thanksgiving is the perfect time to kick off the Christmas season. As the family struggles, kids will laugh out loud at Kevin’s girlfriend McAllister’s (Macaulay Culkin) ingenious traps as he single-handedly defends his home from thieves (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern). To go home.
“Home Alone 2”
If you’re looking for a doubleheader, check out the second installment where Kevin continues to battle the two thieves. This time, the setting is beautiful New York City.
“Mary Poppins Returns”
This reimagined Disney classic is the perfect quirky adventure to snuggle up to this Thanksgiving. Watch as magical nanny Mary Poppins (Emily Blunt) takes the next generation of Banks children on her adventures beyond the streets of London.
“Addams Family Values”
The sequel to the classic Halloween movie includes an important Thanksgiving subplot that finds Wednesday Addams (Christina Ricci) participating in a bright Thanksgiving pageant at the camp. You’ll just have to keep watching to see if she plays along with the charade.
“Fantastic Mr. Fox”
While not explicitly a Thanksgiving movie, this popular stop-motion animated film has all the themes. The film, based on Roald Dahl’s children’s book, tells the story of Mr. Fox (George Clooney) who breaks his promise to his wife (Meryl Streep) and raids a neighbor’s farm for food. It spotlights the struggle to balance nature and family obligations.
“Miracle on 34th Street”
Get ready for the Christmas classic, available in both the 1947 original and the 1994 remake, as you watch Santa finish the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in a festive mood. In both versions, families explore the true magic of Christmas and the meaning of faith while navigating a special Santa from New York department store Macy’s.
“Planes, trains, cars”
Rated PG-13, this movie is a laugh-out-loud ride that follows a chaotic vacation trip in which two unlikely men bond in a race against time to reach their families by Thanksgiving. Definitely suitable for older children.
“Curious George: A Berry Monkey Christmas”
Although primarily a Christmas movie, this monkey special includes a Thanksgiving segment, making it the perfect tie-in to the holiday season as George explores what this time of year is really all about.
“Annie”
The original and remake of this classic heartwarming story are perfect for Thanksgiving family movie night. It also includes a Thanksgiving dinner scene that is sure to melt your heart. Follow orphan Annie as she moves into her mansion and searches for her birth parents.
“Rudy”
Thanksgiving and football go hand in hand. Check out this 1993 football movie in which Sean Astin played Rudy Ruetiger, an ambitious football player who overcomes obstacles to earn admission to the University of Notre Dame and join his football legend team.
“Holiday house”
Rated PG-13, the film centers on single mother Claudia Larson (Holly Hunter) and depicts a typical dysfunctional family reuniting for Thanksgiving dinner. The night is definitely full of turmoil, but something might happen between Claudia and her brother’s friend Leo (Dylan McDermott).
“Rocky”
You might not immediately think of the Rocky films starring Sylvester Stallone as Thanksgiving classics, but the first film in the series, released in 1976, was set during the holiday season. The film follows an amateur boxer who gets the chance to challenge for the world heavyweight championship, and features a memorable Thanksgiving dinner scene, complete with quotes perfect for anyone looking to get in the holiday spirit. It is being
“It’s Thanksgiving,” says Rocky’s girlfriend, Adrian.
“Yes, for you it is, but for me it’s Thursday.”
This article originally appeared on TODAY.com
